Former Illini Jerry Colangelo was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.

Aug. 25, 2008

Champaign, Ill. -
Basketball Hall of Fame member Jerry Colangelo is the next Fighting Illini to be recognized by having his jersey permanently displayed at Assembly Hall.

The University of Illinois is honoring its most decorated basketball players in school history by hanging a banner with their name and number from the roof of the Assembly Hall. A total of 20 men's players have earned a spot on this distinguished list and their jerseys will be unveiled for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 13, at A Night of Legends alumni basketball game, scheduled for 7 p.m.

Tickets for the alumni game are $15 each and are now on sale online or through the UI Athletics Ticket Office by phone at 217-333-3470 or 1-866-ILLINI-1 or in person at the Assembly Hall North Box Office.

Colangelo has been in the news recently for his role as Managing Director of the USA Basketball Men's Senior National Team. He was the architect behind the three-year overhaul of the U.S. squad that culminated with Sunday's gold medal victory in the Beijing Summer Olympics.

Colangelo was a three-year letterwinner for the Illini from 1960-62. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection as a junior and senior, scoring in double figures both seasons. He also was elected team captain as a senior in 1962.

Colangelo currently serves as Chairman of the Phoenix Suns, an organization he has held an executive position with for 39 years. He began working with the Suns in 1968 as the youngest general manager in professional sports and earned NBA Executive of the Year accolades four times. Colangelo previously served as Chairman of the NBA's Board of Governors and played an integral role in the formation of the WNBA. He also brought major league baseball to the city of Phoenix and was Chairman and CEO of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 when the team won the World Series.

Colangelo was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor in 2004.

He joins the previously announced names of Deron Williams (2003-05), Dee Brown (2003-06), Luther Head (2002-05), Ray Woods (1915-17), Chuck Carney (1920-22), Bill Hapac (1938-40), Dike Eddleman (1947-49), Walt Kirk (1944-45, 47), Bruce Douglas (1983-96) and Jim Dawson (1965-67) to have their jerseys hung at Assembly Hall. The remaining nine players to be honored will be released over the coming weeks leading up to the reunion game.

Players selected to have their jerseys hung at the Assembly Hall must have achieved one of the following criteria: 1) National Player of the Year; 2) Enshrined in the National Basketball Hall of Fame; 3) U.S. Olympian; 4) Big Ten Player of the Year; 5) Consensus First- or Second-Team All-American.